Page 68 of Pooh

I know my smile lights up the room because that’s what seeing his has done for me. I’ve missed the hell out of the little guy. I hold my hand out and he walks slowly to my side and grabs my hand. I pull him closer to me, gently, and receive the sweetest kiss of my life. It lands on my cheek and then his head falls to my shoulder and stays there. I cup the back of his head and breathe in his little boy scent. After a moment, he pulls his head away and looks closely at me. Chubs steps forward and sets Craig carefully on the bed, next to my side and I drink in his little boyish features.

“Chubs said you got an owie. A big one and that I have to be careful not to hurt you. But he said you are going to be okay and home with me soon. How soon, Pips?”

“A few days yet, Craig. I’ve missed you! How have you been doing? Behaving yourself?”

“Miss you too. I’ve been good. Been hangin’ with the pets. Did you know that Duffy weighs more than I do? He’s huge! Bella has been teaching me numbers and letters. I like it there. Why can’t we live there, Pips?”

“Because we live at my house now. I didn’t get the chance to tell you that, Craig. You’re moving in with me and you’ll have your own room and everything!”

Before Craig can respond to that, Tammy steps forward and gains his attention.

“For a little while, when Pippa gets out of here, we’ll all be staying at Trigger’s house. That way, me, you, Trigger and Pooh can help her while she’s recovering. That sound like fun, Craig?” Tammy asks while shooting me an apologetic look. Apparently, there have been some discussions taking place when I was not awake to participate.

I glance toward Pooh and Trigger and both duck their heads and shuffle their feet. Guilt. My plan of keeping my game face on until I could go home and be alone has been sabotaged. I need a chance to fall apart and deal with everything that occurred, but I will not do that with an audience. Now I’m wondering if they know that I’m biding my time or if this is just a happy coincidence.

“Okay, Tammy. Can I still go to the clubhouse and play with Bella and the pets?” Craig asks.

“Of course, you can! Have you been good for Ava and Trudy?” Tammy questions.

“Of course. I have been. But Miss Trudy and her clean face rules are getting on my nerves. She’s a badass with a washcloth,” Craig admits woefully. “Axel is fun, though. He plays Xbox with me. Nobody can suck that bad at racing, so I know he’s letting me win. He’s really funny when I beat him because he makes a duck butt face. Bailey told him his face is going to freeze like that come winter. I love Bailey! She’s cool and doesn’t mind my dirty face. And she’s showing me how to draw. She’s really good at it!”

“Sounds like you’ve been busy,” I tell him.

“Yeah. I helped Chubs at work yesterday and it was fun. We keep a stash of snacks with us in case we get hungry. Cash needs help at the gym so I’m going there tomorrow. I even got to hang out with the twins. They’re really cute but messy being babies and all,” Craig states.

We all chuckle at him being worried about someone else being messy. He’s too cute for words. But, beyond that, I’m seriously wondering how I’m going to repay and thank all these people for helping out with him during this time. The club members have really stepped up and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.

“I heard people talking, Pips. I know someone hurt you because you were trying to help a mom and her kids. What if they try again?” Craig asks me quietly. His little face is looking sad with a little fear peeking through.

“The police will catch the person who hurt me. She wasn’t trying to hurt me, I just got in her way,” I answer, hoping it helps ease his mind.

“Pips has a lot of people that will keep her safe, Craig. Her, you and Tammy. Pooh and I, along with Chubs, Cash and the rest of the club members will do a good job of keeping all of you safe,” Trigger interjects.

Craig thinks that comment over for a moment before asking, “Why weren’t one of you there when this happened?”

“We didn’t know this would happen. I was just doing my job, as usual, but things took a bad turn. If they had known it could get so serious, I’m sure Pooh would have been there with me,” I explain to Craig.

“Maybe you’re the one who needs a babysitter instead of me,” Craig states.

“And she’ll be getting one, I promise, Craig,” Pooh says and then smiles down at him. Craig’s expression relaxes and, while I hate the idea of a babysitter, I like that Pooh has calmed his fears a little.

Pooh

It’s been a week since Pippa was released from the hospital. She’s healing up great but is still incredibly sore and moving slow. I’ve been busy as hell with the builders, the gym and trying to spend time each day with Pippa and Craig.

We’ve all been staying at Trigger’s house since it has the most room. Craig loves the fenced backyard and I’ve noticed how much Trigger enjoys spending time with him. It looks like Craig has a grandpa after all. They are even talking about taking a day and going fishing soon.

Tammy has kept everything running smooth for us. She’s kept New Horizons up and running while Pippa recuperates. She’s had help from Bailey and Lucy, though. They jumped in with both feet and have been a godsend. Pippa doesn’t worry so much about New Horizons when she knows Tammy, Bailey and Lucy are handling things. And Ava has done her share too by sending over food to help feed us since Tammy is working extra hours.

Chubs and the prospects make sure there is someone watching over the women when they are at New Horizons. The attacker, Becky Wilson, is still on the loose and the police believe she is determined to kill the children she had with Anne. The children were taken by CPS and are at an unknown location. The cops don’t believe she will return to harm Pippa, but we’re not taking any chances at this point.

Chubs walks into the gym and heads directly to the desk where I’m standing. I have to laugh at him because he’s the only person I know who shows up to a gym for a workout with a sub sandwich in one hand and a huge fountain drink in the other. He’s grinning, as usual, when he gets to the desk and sets his drink down.

“How’s it going, Pooh?” he asks while scarfing down the sub.

“It’s going good, Chubs. You here to work out?”

“Yeah, after I finish my midday snack,” he confirms.

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